Girl in the corner + Domestic violence | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/series/girl-in-the-corner+domestic-violence
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Policies will fail 'family test' if they do not address domestic abuse | Carlene Firminhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/26/cameron-family-test-relationship-support-policy-domestic-abuse
Government family support policies will not be effective unless they include measures to help prevent abuse and violence within families<p>The quality of adult relationships became the focus of government policy this month, with the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/18/david-cameron-family-policy-500000-troubled-families" title="">prime minster introducing a &quot;family test&quot;</a> and bringing what he termed <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/david-cameron-on-families" title="">&quot;relationship support policy&quot;</a> under the auspices of the department for work and pensions. In outlining this position, David Cameron illustrated his vision for supporting more families to live together, and increasing intervention with so-called troubled families. While this announcement made reference to the fact that in domestic abuse cases some families may have to live apart to ensure safety, it failed to recognise the role of domestic abuse services, and the prevention of violence against women, as integral to supporting safe and protective families</p><p>In outlining how the government would help families, the prime minister focused attention on policy to enable equal marriage. Yet, for people to form healthy and happy relationships, in which families can be fostered and marriage considered, gender inequality must be addressed. Although the government's campaign to raise awareness of teenage relationship abuse is commendable, we are still without consistent high-quality relationships and sex education across all schools in England. In 2010, <a href="http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/2010-poll-on-sexual-harassment-in-schools" title="">a survey of 16- to 18-year-old young women </a>reported that a third had been sexually harassed in schools: four years on, a strategy to prevent violence against women and girls has yet to be produced.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/26/cameron-family-test-relationship-support-policy-domestic-abuse">Continue reading...</a>Domestic violenceYoung peopleSocietyTue, 26 Aug 2014 14:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/26/cameron-family-test-relationship-support-policy-domestic-abuseMartin Argles/GuardianCurrent damming domestic violence statistics should be at the forefront of any relationship or family support policy, but, at present, are notable by their absence. Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianMartin Argles/GuardianCurrent damming domestic violence statistics should be at the forefront of any relationship or family support policy, but, at present, are notable by their absence. Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianCarlene Firmin2014-08-26T14:00:01ZIt's time to tackle abusive teenage relationships | Carlene Firminhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/27/teenage-relationships-tackle-abuse-prosecution
Crown Prosecution Service guidelines recognise that teenagers in abusive relationships need different services from adults. Those working with young people must adapt their approach.<p>This month, the <a href="http://www.cps.gov.uk/consultations/dv_2014_consultation.html" title="">Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published draft legal guidance for prosecuting cases of domestic abuse</a>. This guidance includes new sections on abuse within teenage relationships and gang-related violence. This follows increased public and professional awareness that young people – like adults – experience violence in their relationships.</p><p>These additions are welcome. They demonstrate an acknowledgment that while young people also have abusive relationships, their experiences won't necessarily mirror those of adults, so a different approach may be required. For example, the guidance notes that young people are less likely to be living with their abusive partner, but they may attend college or school with them. At the point of reporting the abuse, therefore, a young person's home may remain safe but school can become an increasingly risky place.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/27/teenage-relationships-tackle-abuse-prosecution">Continue reading...</a>Young peopleSocietyDomestic violenceRelationshipsLife and styleSchoolsTue, 27 May 2014 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/27/teenage-relationships-tackle-abuse-prosecutionKeith Morris/Alamy‘The guidance notes that young people are less likely to be living with their abusive partner.’ Photograph: Keith Morris/AlamyKeith Morris/Alamy‘The guidance notes that young people are less likely to be living with their abusive partner.’ Photograph: Keith Morris/AlamyCarlene Firmin2014-05-27T12:00:00ZPolice fail to recognise that abuse often lies behind women's offending | Carlene Firminhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/01/womens-offending-domestic-abuse-link
The Prison Reform Trust and HMIC highlight links between women's offending and domestic and sexual violence, yet the criminal justice system still isn't joining up the dots<p>Amid <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/27/domestic-abuse-risk-murder-serious-injury" title="">the media coverage of two reports last week</a> about women and the criminal justice system, links between domestic violence and the causes of crimes by female offenders were largely overlooked.</p><p>The Prison Reform Trust's research, <a href="http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/PressPolicy/News/vw/1/ItemID/209" title="">Brighter Futures</a>, repeatedly cited the links between women's offending and their experiences of domestic and sexual violence, and stated that their offending &quot;was more likely than men's to be linked to their relationships&quot;. Yet analysis of 42 police and crime plans showed that while most demonstrated a commitment to tackle domestic violence, few acknowledged the distinct approach required for responding to women as suspects or offenders. Certainly, of the hundreds of women and girls in prison I have met, most have experienced domestic and sexual abuse from their partners, fathers, brothers and extended family. On my most recent trip to a women's prison, all but two of those I spoke&nbsp;to had experienced domestic abuse, which was directly linked to their offence.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/01/womens-offending-domestic-abuse-link">Continue reading...</a>Domestic violenceSocietyWomenPoliceCrimeUK newsUK criminal justiceLawTue, 01 Apr 2014 13:01:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/01/womens-offending-domestic-abuse-linkAndrew Fox/AlamyA female prisoner. 'On my most recent trip to a women’s prison, all but two of those I spoke to had experienced domestic abuse.' Photograph: Andrew Fox/AlamyAndrew Fox/AlamyA female prisoner. 'On my most recent trip to a women’s prison, all but two of those I spoke to had experienced domestic abuse.' Photograph: Andrew Fox/AlamyCarlene Firmin2014-04-01T13:01:19ZTeenagers are victims of domestic abuse toohttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/sep/25/teenagers-victims-domestic-abuse-too
The change in the definition of domestic abuse to include 16-&nbsp;and 17-year olds signals an increased awareness that young women, as well as young men, are victims<p>Over the past five years I&nbsp;have been acutely aware of the isolation that girls and young women can feel when their needs are forgotten either because of their gender, as happens within youth justice and school exclusion services, or their age, as is the case when they experience violent relationships. From the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/may/03/politics.crime" title="">Corston review</a> of women in the adult criminal justice system, to attempts to tackle the impact of youth violence on boys and young men, girls have been outnumbered, and, on occasion, forgotten in both policy and practice.</p><p>Girls are attuned to this gap in services: they have told me that they have felt too young to be in refuges designed for adult women, and felt intimidated in youth violence services. This service gap has made attempts by girls, who are already vulnerable, to turn their lives around even more difficult.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/sep/25/teenagers-victims-domestic-abuse-too">Continue reading...</a>Domestic violenceYoung peopleChildrenSocietyLawTue, 25 Sep 2012 13:02:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/sep/25/teenagers-victims-domestic-abuse-too38289.000000/Getty Images/DK StockIt is not clear whether the new definition of domestic abuse will extend children's or adult services to cover violence in teenage relationships. Photograph: 38289.000000/Getty Images/DK Stock38289.000000/Getty Images/DK StockIt is not clear whether the new definition of domestic abuse will extend children's or adult services to cover violence in teenage relationships. Photograph: 38289.000000/Getty Images/DK StockCarlene Firmin2012-09-25T13:02:51ZWhy under-18s can't be victims of domestic abusehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/may/29/why-under18-cant-be-domestic-abuse-victims
The definition of domestic abuse states that victims must be 18 or over, and it has serious repercussions for the services that abused young people receive<p>The judge who last week <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-18158281" title="">sentenced Elliot Turner to a minimum of 16 years</a> for the murder of his girlfriend Emily Longley, had this to say: &quot;Loving someone is not telling them they are a whore, it is not trying to control them, it is not threatening them … You did not love her, she was just a trophy.&quot;</p><p>The references to control and repeated instances of abuse made during the case were familiar to those who have worked in the field of violence against women. However, the government definition of domestic violence would not recognise Emily as a victim of domestic abuse – she was too young. The definition states that both the victim and the perpetrator need to be adults – 18. Turner was 20; aged 17, Emily was still a child.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/may/29/why-under18-cant-be-domestic-abuse-victims">Continue reading...</a>Domestic violenceYoung peopleChildrenSocietyLawTue, 29 May 2012 13:05:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/may/29/why-under18-cant-be-domestic-abuse-victimsDorset Police/PAEmily Longley: at 17, she was considered too young to be a victim of domestic abuse. Photograph: Dorset Police/PADorset Police/PAEmily Longley: at 17, she was considered too young to be a victim of domestic abuse. Photograph: Dorset Police/PACarlene Firmin2012-05-29T13:05:54ZWhere are the refuges for teenagers abused in relationships?http://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/oct/11/refuges-teenagers-abuse-relationships
A study reveals that children as young as 13 are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused in their relationships. We must do more to help them escape<p>A <a href="http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/standing_own_two_feet_wda84543.html" title="">study funded by the NSPCC</a> into teenage domestic abuse shows that over 50% of disadvantaged young women have been in violent relationships before their 18th birthday and children as young as 13 are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused in their relationships. Yet we still don't know how many young people are victimised each day but don't tell a soul. Assaulted in the shadows, the &quot;private&quot; violence they experience influences their relationships with family, their choices, their health – and many agencies struggle to know how to respond.</p><p>Domestic violence is defined as taking place in a relationship between two adults. The historical legacy of this has seen the development of refuges, independent domestic violence advocates and risk assessment structures designed to keep women safe; creating conditions for them to leave relationships safely and regain control of their lives. This progress for women has been essential and rightly continues to seek investment and improvement to save and improve lives.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/oct/11/refuges-teenagers-abuse-relationships">Continue reading...</a>Young peopleDomestic violenceChildrenChild protectionSocietyTue, 11 Oct 2011 13:03:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/oct/11/refuges-teenagers-abuse-relationshipsFrans Jansen/Getty ImagesGirls’ relationships take place in their schools, in their peer groups, in their neighbourhoods, how do they 'leave' these behind, asks Carlene Firmin. Photograph: Frans Jansen/Getty ImagesFrans Jansen/Getty ImagesGirls' relationships take place in their schools, in their peer groups, in their neighbourhoods, how do they 'leave' these behind, asks Carlene Firmin. Photograph: Frans Jansen/Getty ImagesCarlene Firmin2011-10-11T13:03:35ZChildren should not be left to suffer in silencehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/jan/12/children-not-suffer-violence-in-silence
We should focus on the child victims of violence and sexual exploitation, not pretend it doesn't happen, says Carlene Firmin<p>An investigation into the trafficking and grooming of young girls last week by the Times chose to focus its coverage of sexual exploitation on the ethnicity of the perpetrators, claiming that incidents were &quot;mostly involving British Pakistani men&quot;. But this misses the point and places victims in the backdrop of a debate in which they should be at the forefront.</p><p>When the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, responded, saying: &quot;We should not indulge in or extrapolate any kind of stereotypes about this kind of grooming,&quot; he made an important point. Low levels of reporting of sexual exploitation and low levels of prosecutions, means that we do not have accurate data about patterns of offenders or the prevalence of exploitation. By making comments about perpetrators, we indulge stereotypes that are not helpful to efforts to identify and protect victims.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/jan/12/children-not-suffer-violence-in-silence">Continue reading...</a>Young peopleChildrenChild protectionDomestic violenceSocial careSocietyWed, 12 Jan 2011 07:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/jan/12/children-not-suffer-violence-in-silenceCarlene Firmin2011-01-12T07:30:01Z